Posted: Oct 24, 2023
Diana Hernandez, Women's Water Polo
Tell us about how you first got involved with your sport. When did you first get interested and began participating? What is it about the sport that you enjoy so much?
How I stared playing water polo is that my mom saw an add on a magazine where a club called Valley Falcons was offering to teach kids how to play water polo for an inexpensive price. Although my mom had no idea what water polo was, she knew that I loved being in the water so she took me to my first practice at the age of 10. I first started getting interested in water polo when I stared to play games. Valley Falcons was a small club team so it was rare to play in a tournament. I even had to play with the boys, since there was only 2 other girls. That was when I really started to love playing water polo. I like having to compete in a fast paced game where you play as a team and not individually.
What got you here to Orange Coast College? Tell us about your journey to OCC.
What got me here at OCC is my friend Destiny. My senior year of high school I wasn’t even considering going to a community college. But the day that my high school team lost league finals (water polo) one of my friends who was attending OCC asked me if I was interested to go play at OCC. After that, I started considering to keep playing water polo in college. Then I contacted Coach Dan and said that I was interested in playing. Finally, my friend who asked me to go play at OCC gave me a tour around campus and the pool,then I decided to come to OCC to play water polo.
If I asked your coach or teammates about what type of person you are on your team, what do you think they would say?
I think they would say that I’m a defensive and aggressive type player.
Water Polo is arguably one of the most under-appreciated sports and also misunderstood! This is a two-part question ... take us through just how much swimming and overall training you have to do to stay properly in shape for water polo. Second ... nobody knows the extent of what goes on under the water during a contest. It can be like WWE under the water! Take us through some of that aspect of the sport as well.
To stay in shape in water polo you have to swim and practice a lot. Not only that, we have to do strength training to make our bodies stronger to help prevent hurting ourselves in the pool. Practices consist of Monday and Wednesday morning practice from 7 am - 8 am strength training in the weight room then 8am - 9am all swim. Then Monday - Fridays we have practice from 12:45pm - 3:00pm if we don’t have games. During games, refs can’t see what happens underwater, so many things like punching, kicking, pinching, scratching, grabbing suits happen. On the transition from offense to defense, the opposite team may grab your feet or suit when swimming to either slow you down or just to make you mad.
When you're not involved with your sport, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Any hobbies or interests and that keep you busy in your spare time?
In my spare time I like to read books, going out with my friends and family to try new food places. I like to take silly pictures of my dog and play video games.
Who would be your all-time sports favorite athlete and why?
My all-time sports favorite athlete is Simone Biles, because she was faced with many challenges throughout her life but it didn’t stop her from succeeding.
Favorite sports team? Any sport you want ... who's your favorite team and why?
My favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Angels, because I grew up watching them play on TV. Both of my grandpas are huge fans of baseball especially the Angels so I always support them even if they lose a lot.
Once your sports career is over, what do you want to do with your life, career-wise?
Once my sport career is over I will continue to study Environmental Science to help clean our environment. Then I will eventually work in environment remediation.
What's on your "Bucket List"??? Somewhere amazing to visit?? A Sports event to experience?? Whatcha got??
I’d love to travel around the world to experience new cultures and countries. I’d also love to go skydiving, bungee jumping, scuba diving, and paragliding one day! And lastly, to go watch an Olympic women’s water polo game.
